ACEN Corporation, a leading renewable energy company in the Philippines, has announced a major investment to strengthen its clean energy infrastructure in Zambales. The company plans to install a large 2-gigawatt-hour (GWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at its San Marcelino solar park. The project will require an investment of about PHP 15.8 billion (around USD 268 million). This step is expected to improve the reliability and flexibility of renewable power in the country.
The San Marcelino solar park is one of the company’s major renewable energy developments with a total planned capacity of 585 megawatts (MW). The project is being developed in different phases. The first two phases, with a combined capacity of 384 MW, are already operational and supplying power to the grid. The third phase of the project, which will add another 200 MW of solar capacity, is currently under construction. According to the company, this phase is expected to start commercial operations by the third quarter of 2027.
The new battery energy storage system will play an important role in improving the performance of the solar project. Solar power generation depends on sunlight and can vary during the day. With the help of the battery system, excess electricity generated during peak sunlight hours can be stored and used later when solar generation is low or when electricity demand increases. This will help maintain a more stable and reliable electricity supply for the grid.
Construction of the battery storage facility is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026. The company plans to complete the project by the end of 2027, and full commissioning is expected by early 2028. Once completed, the storage system will significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of the solar park.
The investment is also part of ACEN’s broader strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio. For 2026, the company has allocated around PHP 80 billion (about USD 1.35 billion) as capital expenditure to support new renewable energy projects and infrastructure.
ACEN aims to reach an operational renewable energy capacity of 5 gigawatts (GW) by the end of 2026. At present, the company manages a renewable energy portfolio of about 7 GW across different stages of development and operation in the Asia-Pacific region. The portfolio includes solar, wind, and other clean energy technologies.
Through investments in large-scale solar and battery storage projects, the company is working to strengthen renewable energy supply and support the transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy system in the region.
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
